China Postpones Two Sessions Due to COVID-19 Impact... First Time in Over 40 Years (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] China has postponed its largest political event, the Two Sessions, for the first time since the reform and opening-up in 1978 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 24th, the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) resolved at its 16th meeting held in Beijing on the same day to postpone the 3rd session of the 13th NPC, which was scheduled to open on the 5th. Although the NPC Standing Committee confirmed the postponement, the new date for holding the NPC will be decided later. The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is usually held every year on March 3rd, two days before the NPC, will also not be held.

The NPC Standing Committee stated that considering COVID-19, epidemic prevention and control, and economic and social development, "the NPC was postponed to ensure the life, health, and safety of the people."

This is the first time China has postponed the Two Sessions since they began to be held annually in 1978. The convention of holding the CPPCC and NPC together since 1995 was also broken for the first time in 26 years.

The decision to postpone the Two Sessions was made in consideration of the spread of COVID-19. As of the 23rd, China’s cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases totaled 77,150, with 2,592 deaths. Since more than 5,000 people from across the country travel to Beijing to attend the meetings during the Two Sessions, it was judged that the risk of infection would be high. There were also concerns that local epidemic prevention measures would be neglected if all local officials gathered in Beijing.

Generally, the Chinese government finalizes and publicly approves the annual economic operation guidelines decided at the economic work conference held in December of the previous year during the regular NPC session. However, due to the inevitable economic impact of COVID-19, there remains a possibility that the previously discussed economic operation guidelines will be revised.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the NPC Standing Committee passed a bill banning the trade and consumption of wild animals in addition to postponing the Two Sessions. Xinhua News Agency pointed out that "since the outbreak of COVID-19, the habit of eating dishes made from wild animals has become a social issue," adding that "this has also posed a great threat to public health safety." It further stated, "This decision provides legislative guarantees to win the battle against COVID-19 and protect the lives and health of the people," and "the NPC Standing Committee hastily passed a professional and urgent decision."

Under China’s current Wildlife Protection Law, only important wild animals designated by the state and wild animals that have gone through illegal distribution processes are prohibited from being consumed. According to this decision, the ban on consumption will be expanded to all wild animals, and hunting, trading, transporting, and consuming will be strictly prohibited. The decision to ban the trade and consumption of wild animals will take effect immediately from today.